Consultations and evaluations are a series of tests conducted in order to ensure that the patient is a viable candidate for organ transplantation. These tests range from simple blood tests to more involved procedures that may be specific to the patient’s organ.

The following information is intended to give a broad overview. Your doctor and transplant nurse coordinator will be able to provide you with a more specific list as the process progresses.

Some of the tests used to determine whether a patient is an appropriate candidate for organ transplantation are as follows:

routine and special laboratory studies

radiologic evaluations

cardiac and pulmonary evaluations

toxicological and infectious disease screens

blood tests

possible biopsy

psychosocial evaluations

surgical consultations

additional consultations with various specialty physicians

financial consultation

If you are found to be an appropriate candidate, your transplant nurse coordinator will place you on the national transplantation list to wait for a donor organ.

Factors preventing organ transplantation may include:

an active, uncorrectable infection throughout the body

HIV or AIDS

active cancer outside the organ

active alcoholism or substance abuse

severe uncorrectable diseases of other organs

inability or refusal to comply with medical direction

If any of these factors are present and if the patient is determined not to be a transplant candidate, the doctor will explain why. Sometimes a problem found during the evaluation process can be corrected through medical treatment. If this is the case, the patient can be treated accordingly and transplantation candidacy can be reassessed at a later date.